1943 ~ 2020
It is with broken hearts we announce the sudden passing of our beloved wife, mother and Nana, Thelma Meade, who passed away at the age of 77 on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
Thelma was predeceased by her father Chief George Barker and mother Ida. Thelma was the last surviving of 18 children and is predeceased by numerous nieces and nephews.
Thelma will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 53 years Rev. Norman Meade, her children Loretta (Terry) Raymond, Shannon and Shauna. She leaves her grandchildren Sara (Julian), Tyler, Jada, Dezarae, Trey and Everlee, great grandchildren Rhys, Olivia, Jaylin and Hailey. She is survived by her brother Melvin (Yvonne). In addition she is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and community members.
Thelma’s life accomplishments were in the area of public education and community service work. She earned her teaching degree through the University of Brandon and worked for Frontier School Division as a teacher in her home community of Hollow Water for 14 or so years. With her family, she moved to Winnipeg in 1983. After a couple of years of rest, continued her teaching career at the William Whyte School in Winnipeg’s Northend for 2 years. She then moved on to work with the Employment and Training Program for the Core Area Initiative’s Program of Winnipeg. When that program folded, she started her own Kikinamawin Training Centre to help young women and men get an education and find meaningful employment. She helped many women and men in the 8 to 9 years of running her own training centre in the Northend of Winnipeg. After her program ended, she went on to develop the Aboriginal Seniors Resources Centre (Winnipeg) Inc. She became the Executive Director of ASRC and spent 15 years working and assisting seniors in various ways. Thelma served on many boards and committees in Winnipeg (too many to list) and was a well known and respected Elder in the community. She was truly a hard working, dedicated and accomplished person in whatever she put her mind to. Like her father, Chief George Barker her motto was “perseverance leads to success”. She will be remembered and missed by many.
A visitation service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Ave. E in Beausejour from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with prayers being said at 8:00 p.m. Due to COVID, we accept 2 separate groups of 50 in the chapel and 100 people in the parking lot.
An interment service will be held the following day on Saturday, August 1 at the Hollow Water Anglican Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. Regrettably, due to public health restrictions we are unable to enjoy in a feast following the service.
Offer Condolence for the family of Thelma Meade
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Wanda fontaine
My deepest condolences to cuz norman and all the family
Phyllis Unrau
To Norman and all of Thelma’s relatives I send my heart felt condolences and good memories of Thelma and the Meade and Barker families. If my mom were here this would make her very sad as she loved Thelma very much.
Phyllis Unrau.
Elizabeth Quesnel
It is with shock and disbelief that we hear of Thelma’s passing.Our
Thoughts and Prayers are with you Norman and your family.
Terry and Liz Quesnel.
Corey Beaulieu
May you rest easy Mrs. Meade……..you’re neverending work here is done. ❤
Bonnie ross
My deepest condolences to cuz Norm, Loretta, Ray, and families, with deep love and prayers from cuz Bonnie and family.
Norman Meade
Thanks Cuz Bonnie and family for being there for us. Your presence and your love was deeply appreciated.
Norman and Family
Maxine Ducharme
Heartfelt condolences to Norman and the family. Love and hugs to everyone. ❤️
– Ducharme Family
HEIDI Unrau Sklaruk
Heartfelt sympathy to a friend in our youth, on the passing of your wife. May God bless and keep you and grant your family peace.
Veronica Laverne Henderson
My sincere condolences to the family ❤️
Denise Thomas
Sincere Condolences Norman, I know that your heart is broken, my heart goes out to you and your family. Thelma was so appreciated by so many of us at MMF. My sisters also send prayers to you and yours. Hugs from all of us.
Valerie Monique
Love you Auntie. We will miss you so much. R.I.P Auntie. Love Val. Pete & Byron & Latoya & Family.
Debbie & Clint Washenfelder
Thelma was an awesome person with a great sense of humor. When Clint and I would visit Thelma and cousin Norman we would have a great time. She was always at family gatherings with Norman and was always so happy around the family. Condolences to cousin Norman, Raymond, Loretta and family.
It is such a loss for everyone. Thelma touched so many people with her thoughtful and humorous nature.
Thelma we will miss you at family gathering but I know you will be with us in spirit.
Deb & Clint Washenfelder
Jo-Anne Solinsky
So sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing.Deepest condolences to Norman and the family.
Dorothy Clarke
So sorry for your loss Norman,Loretta and Raymond.
Thoughts and prayers are with you..
Deb Dyck and Chris Leskiw
Thelma was a loving force. She embraced those that needed a hand and stood proudly beside them as they strove forwarded. She remained a respected woman, Auntie to many, and Elder in our community. Thelma was much loved. Our hearts go out to Norman who was always by her side. Love and prayers to Norman and Loretta and her entire family. This is such a loss. Love Chris and Deb.
Norman Meade
Thank you Chris and Deb for your thoughts, prayers and love. Much appreciated
Grace Clark
My deepest sympathy to the family especially Norman and Loretta my prayers and thoughts with you and your families
Charlotte Campbell
All my sincere prayers for you Norman and your family.
Alice Lowe
I attended Kikinamawin after many years of being out of mainstream work force . I upgraded my skills and started my own business. I could not have done it without Thelma’s training. I will be forever grateful to this lovely smart lady . I remember she told our class of leaving her home community to get her education and how on a Sunday night everyone was at the baseball field and she would be leaving for university . She would cry but eventually she came back as a teacher. Education was very important to her. She always found a way to make things work out. She was a a great leader and role model . We have lost one of the best. Love you Thelma. Deepest condolences to her family, friends and community .
Norman Meade
Thank you for your beautiful and touching memories about my beloved Wife Thelma. She put a lot of effort and energy into helping others.
Norman
Vernelle Unrau
I am so sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing. prayers to Norman and family. may God’s grace be with you.
Joyce Pepin
My deepest condolences to the family.
Jackie Brooks
Condolences from our family to yours she was a very lovely lady
Agnes Furgala
So sorry to hear, my condolences Norman to you and your family!❤️ I will miss seeing her at aboriginal curling! RIP Thelma
Marion Boulanger
My condolences, Rest in Peace ♥️
Charles Moar Sr.
My deepest condolences to you Norman, and family, thinking of you in prayer! <3
Lorraine bear
Dear Norman and family. So very sorry to hear that Thelma had passed. She was such a beautiful woman inside and out. I’ll always remember her for her kind gentle manner and crazy humour. I’ll miss seeing her at events and the curling rink. I asked her one time if you Norman was going to sing at the curling social. She replied, “ No Norman didn’t bring his radio.”
I loved that woman. Another time you dropped her off at the convention Center for some kind of conference. I asked her, “Is Norman coming in too? “She said, “No he’s going to wash the car.”Lol
She had a wonderful sense of humour. Thank you all for sharing her. She was a gift to have.
Francine
I will always have fond memories of you and forever grateful for those you have assisted throughout your time here. You RIP now for you have contributed to many of our people. We love you Thelma! Forecver in our hearts. ❤️
Anthony Zammit
My condolences Meade Family..
Annette Alix Roussin
Our deepest sympathy to Norman and the family, sending prayers of love and support at this difficult time.
Annette Alix Roussin and Eugene Roussin
Norman Meade
Hi Annette and Eugene: thank you for your presence and gift for my beloved wife Thelma. It is very much appreciated by our family. The house seems empty without her. But life must go on.
Chris and Ardith
So sorry to hear about Thelma. Deepest condolence go out to Norman and family.
It was a pleasure meeting her many years ago.
Father Colin
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Father Colin
St. Paul’s College
Marie
My deepest condolences to the family.
Sorry for your loss.
Nora Ross
My deepest condolence to you Norman and to your family in the loss of your beloved wife Thelma; May God be with you all.
Randy and Barb Desjarlais
Sending condolences to Norman, Loretta, Ray and the entire family. She was a true gem and enjoyed our time with her. She was pure joy! Praying for peace and comfort for the family during this difficult time.
Ian and Val Leibl
So sorry for your loss. We have lost someone very, very special. Val and I were very fortunate to have known her. Condolences to Norman, Loretta, Raymond, and extended family members.
Mark von Kampen
So sorry for your loss Norman. Holding you and your family in prayer.
Mark von Kampen
Inter-Mennonite Chaplaincy Assoc. UofM
Jane Woelk
Norman, I am so very sorry for your loss. Became a friend with Thelma during a TRC program last year. She Will be missed.
Geraldine Favel
Sending Norman and family my condolences, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. I always liked listening to Mrs. Meade when she would share stories.
Eleanor Sinclair
Deepest Condolences to the family. I attended Kikinamawin and she was always there for me to talk to as a student but also as a friend. Thank you for all you did for me.
Bridget Thomas .
So sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing ,our sincere condolences to you Norman, and all the rest of the family ,Paulette and Al passed on their condolences from Ottawa as well ,our thoughts and prayers are with you all , Bridget and Family .
Will Smith
Rest Easy Auntie with the other beautiful angels.
Come 2gether shine bright
Light up the sky, As we look up
Twinkle give the strength
Heal the pain as we follow the path
Having and holding the faith.
Love with our hearts to the rest of the family
Blessings from our family Myself(Bill), Kaelyn and Jody
Katherine Sinclair
My condolences to the Meade family for the loss of their matriarch. Thelma was a kind and gentle woman who did her work with humility. She had a great sense of humour. She will be missed
Mabel Bignell / Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Heartfelt condolences to all of Thelma’s family. It was a privilege to have met & work with Thelma in the language area. She gave me such confidence in my area of work towards retaining our language. She was a very inspirational woman. Thank you Thelma for all your contributions in this life which I’m sure many of us will pass on your teachings. May the Creator bless you all.
Ron Evans
Norman and family
My condolences to you and your family. My wife Betsy and I were very saddened to hear the passing of your wife. We were blessed to have known your wife and she brought much strength and support to myself when I was the AMC Grand Chief, when she took on the role as Elder.
We can’t even fathom how much she will be missed by all her family and friends, she brought so much good and happiness to so many. She was indeed a powerful instrument that God used to serve her generation and beyond.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we remain connected through our common faith.
God’s love will sustain you.
Tony Sookram
To Norm and family
Please accept of deepest sympathy thinking
Of you all
Tony Sookram snd family
Gerry Ediger
My condolences and prayers, Norman, during this difficult time.
I have sensed in our time together on the U/M Spiritual Care Advisory Circle how relationally grounded you are on many levels.
And now, suffering such a loss in this most sacred sphere of connection, must be imposing upon you a new Reality.
May Comfort and Peace find their way to you from unexpected places.
Sandra and Steven Eyolfson
So deeply sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing. Our condolences Norman to you and your family. My happiest memories of living in Manigotogan were of visiting you both and our visits and friendship. I will cherish those memories of this special person who has touched our lives and remember the laughter we shared. Thelma has done much with her life and we are lucky to have shared even a little part of that. Rest easy Thelma you will not be forgotton.
Marla Robson
I was so sorry to hear of Thelma’s passing. Thoughts and prayers sent to the Meade family. With deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences.
Bob Phillips
Sorry for your loss of your beloved Thelma. My condolences to all of her family
george neepin
Our condolences to Norman and family from George and Maria Neepin.
May God give you the peace you seek.
Leon
Sincere condolences to my friend Norman and his family –
Kathie Ballantyne
Deepest sympathy to Norman and all family, sending prayers of love and support at this difficult time♥️ She had a great sense of humour. Condolence hugs to all♥️ Charles & Kathie Ballantyne
Anna
Our deepest condolences to all the family! From Phil a and Anna Doyle
Angela Black
Our condolences Uncle Norman and family, love Angie Black and family in Swan Lake
Oriel Joyce Grimard
I send my sincere love, prayers and God’s comfort to you Norman and all your beautiful family. Condolences from Joyce, JP Grimard and family
Evelyn Laforte and family.
At times like this it seems words don’t matter very much, but maybe it will help to know that those who share your sorrow on the loss of your dear wife are here to offer comfort to you and your family, With Deepest Sympathy !
Lois Harper
Condolences to my cousin Norman and family on the sudden passing of their wife, mother and grandmother. A kind and gentle woman who will be missed by many.
Elmer Chen
So sorry to hear about your loss. Sincere condolences and prayers.
Mary L. L. Graham
My condolences to Norman and the family. I loved Thelma so much….she had always encouraged me to speak my mind with love, respect, truth, and from the heart. She had encouraged me to go back to University to get my Education Assistance Diploma which I did at the age of 60….So Meegwetch for your guidance Thelma: you always took the time to listen and take me on a journey of wisdom which I will always treasure. Fly high with the Eagles and you will always be the most beautiful memory that I will keep in my heart forever….till we meet again dearest Thelma. Love, Métis Mary–the awesome & beautiful nickname you gave me.
Marisa Peebles
My sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the family of this beautiful woman. Big hugs and prayers of comfort to you all.